Soot blower



Aug? 4, 1936- H. E. BRELsFoRD ET AL SOOT BLOWER Filed Sept. l0, 1952 l0 Sheets-Sheet 1 V. Aug-4, w3@ H. E. BRELsFoRD ET AL 2,049,421

SQOT BLOWER Filed sept. 1o, 1952 1o sheets-snaai 2 INVENTORS arf alare/:fjord Cu r f5 l1. )Von/a By iwf/ank anvar-5 ATTORNEYS Aug 4, 1935 H. E. BRELSF'ORD ET AL 2,049,421

SOOT BLOWER Filed sept. 1o, 1932 1o sheets-sheet 3 l INVENTORS.

l/arry E'. BreS/o rc! Cul/Zia L. /o wsa Fra/1 A 3o we rs ATTOR NE YS Aug. 4, 1936. H. E. BRELsr-'ORD ET Ax.

SOOT BLOWER Filed Sept. 10, 1952 10 Sheets-SheebA NVENTOR/D gre 2.5

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Aug. 4, 1936. H. E. BELSFORD ET AL SOOT BLOWER 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 10, 1952 INVENTOR. Bre/ A TTORNEY. s

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Aug. 4, 1936. H. E. BRELsFoRD ET A1. 2,049,421

f l sooT BLOWER Filed Sept. l0, 1952 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Fig. 20

Aug' 4, 1936 H. E. BRELSFORD ET AL SOOT BLOWER Filed Sept. lO, 1932 lf) Sheets-Sheet 8 llm Aug. 4, 1936- H. E. BRELSFORD ET A1. 2,049,421

SOOT BLOWER Filed Sept. lO, 1952 l0 Sheets-Sheet 9 Vy@ l 245 5,/ i 729 t 746 /o Z252 2.55 247 E mi@ 1 me :J /0/ 71W /02 ff f v Lum 4 l i9 245 Z\ L 758 2,5/ 3? f5@ 25o Z50 25/ ik i MZ za /0/ ".-1 TTORNEYS Aug 4, 19361 H. E. BRELSFORD ET A1.

sooT BLOWER lO Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Sep-t. 10, 1952 llsllllll/A Patented ug. 4, 1936 PATENT c OFFICE SOOT BLOWER Harry E. Brelsford, Birmingham, and Curtis L.

Howseand'Frank Bowers, Detroit, Mich., assignors to Diamond Power Specialty Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application September 10, 1932, Serial No. 632,614

' 24 Claims'. (o1. 122-392) The invention is directedfto means for cleaning boilers or other heatexchange apparatus, and comprises the provision of means for discharging adjacent the heating surfaces thereof, jets of cleaning iiuid to dislodge from-said surfaces de,-

posits which may be formed thereon.

The invention will'best be understoodby reference to the drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is an elevation showing one form of the invention applied to two 'boilers of the horizontal return tubular type.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of this form of cleaner applied t0 the boiler,"`the latter being in section.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of this same form of cleaner, the operating 'mechanism being shown partly in section.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the'pressure actuated control valve.

Figure 5 is a View principallyv in section of the pilot valve with its actuating diaphragm.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the fluid actuated supply valve. i

Figure 6a is a view of the piston ring used in the fluid actuated supply valve.. y

Figure 7 is a sectional view .ofa modified detail of the fluid actuated control valve.

Figure 8 is an elevation showing a second form of the invention applied to a'boiler oi the water tube type.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevation partly in section showing the application of one of the cleaner units of the second form to the boiler.

Figure 10 is a side view principally in section of one type of operating head as used with the second form of the invention, omitting a portion of the operating piston.

Figure 11 is a sectionalview taken substantially 40 on line ll-II of Figure 1'0, the operating piston being completely shown. l Y

Figure 12 is a sectional view of the supplyvalve operating mechanism, taken on lines I 2 1 2 of Figure 10.

45 Figure 13 is a schematic view of the operating piston and associated levers, the operating piston being shown in actuated position and the levers being shown in such position that the sup` ply valve is actuated. 50 Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure `13, except that the levers are shown in position where the supply valve is not actuated.

Figure 15 is a plan view of an alternate form of head as used in the second form ofthe invention" il Il" Figure 16 is a sectional View on linev lli-I6 of Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a sectional view Vsubstantially on line I'l-l'l of Figure 15, a small portion being vbroken away. 5

Figure V18 is va section through the pilot Valve controlling the pistons actuating the element and valve.

Figure 19 is a wiring diagram for a first type of controller utilized in the second form of the l0 invention.

invention.

Figure 2 3y is a side elevation of the second type of controller. Y

Figure 24 is an end elevation of thel second I type of controller; las

Figure 25 is a section on line 25--25 of Figure 24. Figure 26 is an end View of the contact drum and actuating gear and piston as used in the second type of controller, being a partial end view alonglines 26-26 ofk Figure 23. 30

Figure 27 is .a sectional View showing part of Vthe gear actuating the contact drum, viewed as indicated byV lines 27-21 in Figure 25.

lFigure 28 is a view similar to Figure 15 showing a slightly different form of operating head. '35

Figure 29is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 29e-29 of Figure 28;

Figure 3 0 is a sectional view taken substantial,- lylon the line 30-'30 of Figure 28; and

Figurer 31 is an enlarged sectional view of a 40 portion of the structure shown in Figure 29.

There will be described rst the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to '7 inclusive. In this form, boiler cleaners comprising nozzled elements areshown applied to the rear door of boilf ers of the fire tube type. The nozzled elements vare moved to clean the tubes of the boiler by means of a piston actuated by the pressure of the cleaning fluid. In this case the cleaning iiuid is shown as compressed air supplied from va motor driven compressor and storage tank .of conventional construction. A pressure actuated 4valve y controls the supply of the cleaning iluid to the boiler cleaner and is so construtedas to ad.-

mit the cleaning uid to the boiler cleaner at' a 55 'the rim of the gear 54.

`passes through packing gland 53,r through nipple 1| to the interior ofthe tting |l8. Attached to rodv within the fitting 48 is the spider 5| engaging the threaded -end of nipple 119. It willethus be evident th-at upon rotation of shaft 55, nipple 49 and hence the nozzle blower member 5 may be rotated. I

- Fitted to one end of shaft 55 is gear 5d provided `with the ratchet teeth 58.

Branched from the cleaning fluid supplxr line 41 is the pipe 6 tted with regulating valve 62, leading to piston housing 16. Bracket 6 fixed suitably to plate l5 is provided for supporting thepiston housing.

Mounted within the piston housing 1|) is the piston 56 to which is tted the pawl 51 adapted to engage the teeth 58 on gear 54. Leaf spring 59 is provided for holding thepawl in engagement with the ratchet teeth.

Within the piston housing spring 68 is provided engaging at one end the housing and at the other end the piston 56. Upon operation of control Valve l2 as hereinbefore described air will bev admitted under pressure to the supply line 41 from whence Vit passes not only to the blower element through tting 48 and nipple 19, but also to the piston housing where it acts upon one end of piston 56 forcing this to the left in Figure 3 and actuating the gear 59.

Thus, upon admission of the cleaning fluid to the blower unit not only is this discharged from the nozzles 56 but it also serves to actuate the blower element rotatively. l

The rate of movement of piston 56 may be controlled by regulation of valve 62 in the branch line 6 leading to the piston housing. Screw 6| serves to regulate the amount of travel of the piston 56. p

In case the two sections of the blower arm 5 are notv perfectly balanced, it may be desirable to impose friction upon the gear 5G to prevent the blower member over-running as it passes its dead center. For this purpose the two plates 63 may be provided held by springs 64 against These plates may be suit-ably mounted upon rod 61, iixed in bracket 66, attached to the plate 415. The tension of these springs 6d may be regulated by the adjusting nuts 65. By this arrangement an even steady travel of the gear 54 and hence the blower element 5 is obtained.

It will be apparent that the maximum and minimum pressure limits between which compressed air is passed to the cleaner unit will devpend upon the properties o f the spring in the control valve. Considerable variation inrthese limits is possible due to varying the spring characteristics or varying the tension in the spring as indicated in the adjustable modification shown in Figure 7. It may be stated that in practice satisfactory results have been obtained with the maximum pressure of 120# and a -minimum pressure of 75 to 80#.

The amount of air discharged at each puff through the boiler cleaner unit. will depend, for a given maximum and minimum pressure limit, lonthecapacity of the storage tank and the supply lines up to the control valve. The time it takes to discharge the amount of air in a given puff will, of course, depend upon the number of nozzles ,in the blower member '5. The time required to restore the pressure of the compressed air in the storage tank after a puff through the 'boiler cleaner will depend, ofcourse, upon the capacity of the compressor unit.

In-the form' of invention just described, vit will be evident that a single cleaner unit is applied to each boiler to be cleaned. This is capable, as is evident, of rotation through 360. InV the application of this same invention to water tube'boilers, two further variables are introduced. It is necessary, in cleaning the conventional type of water tube boiler to install a plurality'of boiler cleaner units, five of such units being shown in Figure 8. It is also necessary to vary the arc through which cleaning fluid is discharged from the nozzled element, depending upon the location of the unit.

Consequently, `as applied to water tube boilers, a controller must be employed which will actuate, in turn, the various units and it is, furthermore, advantageous to use a unit of the automatic valve type-in. which cleaning fluid is discharged through the nozzle in synchronism with the rotation of the nozzledr element and over a predetermined blowing arc.

In Figures 8 and 9 the application of such a systemA to a conventional water tube boiler is shown. The boilers designated generally by l2 and comprises tubes 13 extending between headers 14 and 15. Bales 16 and 11 divide the tube bank into the usual passes for the 'low of the gases'from the combustion chamber.

The ve boiler cleaner units are designated 18, 18a, 18h, 18C, and 18d and may be distributed as desired throughout the passes of the boiler. 19 and 18C designate respectively the effective blowing arcs of units 18 and 18C, these blowing arcs representing the portion of the revolution of the boiler cleaner unit through which the cleaning fluid is discharged adjacent the heating surfaces of the boiler. 86 designates the principal header for the cleaning uid supply to the Various boiler cleaner units, the branches Vfrom this header to their respective soot blower head 18 is supported onV floater 95 mounted on wall box 94 installed in opening 96 in boiler wall 93. The element 91 provided with Vnozzles |60 extends transversely of the boiler tubes 13 from which it is supported by bearings 98. The method of supporting the unit from the boiler tubes and the boiler wall is thus seen to be inthe conventional manner. Mounted adjacent the storage tank 82 is the pressure limit switch 88 of conventional construction. When the pressure in the storage tank 82 reaches a predetermined maximum, switch 88 is actuated to close the circuit through lines 9 |-92 which lead to the motor driven controller 89 to be hereinafter described.

determined amount, the units being operated succ'essively, the operation of one unit starting after the cessation of operation of the preceding unit.

The admission' of air through the respective branches |82, |02a, |02h, |622 and |02d tothe units, serves to. actuate the unit rotatively and synchronously to open the supply valve admitting cleaning fluid tothe nozzled element 9 1.

In Figures 10 to 14 inclusive one type of operating. head is shown. Referring particularly to Figure 10, the element 91 is rotatively journaled in packing box I3| and in bushing |32 in the blower head 1 8. Fixed as by a set screw,V to the element 91 is the gear ||0 which, when actuated, serves t o rotate the blower unit.

Referring now to Figure 11, when air is admitted from the controller through line 0 2 to the chamber |93, on top of piston |04, the pressure serves to move this piston downwardly against the force of the spring |05. Sleeve |06 at the bottom of the cylinder |03 serves to limit the downward movement of piston |04.

Pivoted at |33 to a lug on the inside of the piston isthe bar |01 carrying the pawl |08. Leaf spring |09 atthe back of the pawl serves to keep the pawl in engagement with the gear-teeth on the gear H0. Downward movement of the pistonv |04 thus serves to rotate the gear and hence the blower element 91.

The extent of the sleeve |06 determines the number of teeth which the gearmoves upon each actuation and hence the amount of arcuate travel o f the element upon each actuation of the piston. It is obvious that this is subject to` such variation as may be desired.

When the pressure of the fluid supplied to the piston reaches a predetermined minimum limit, spring |05 returns the piston |04 to its initial position where it is ready for the next impulse which is again administered upon the restorationof` the maximum pressure. As the piston is restored to its initial position it, of course, pulls upwardly with it the bar |01- and the attached pawl |08. The spring |09 tending to urge this pawl against the gear H0, thus has somewhat of a tendency to reverse the direction of rotation of; the gear ||0. Io prevent this rotation, a pawl |30 as shown in Figure 1 0 is provided to prevent reverse rotation of the gear. This pawl, engaging the gear teeth, permits rotation of the gear in the normal direction but acts against the gear teeth to prevent any reverse rotation.

In certain rotative positions ofV the blower element 91 the valve |22 is moved from its seat |23 to admit cleaning fluid from the supply line 8|; to the blower element 91-. Such admission of` cleaning uid is limited to any desired rotative position of the blower element 91. In other Words, while this blower element is rotated through a complete 360" by the piston actuated pawl |08-, cleaning fluid is supplied through the valve |22 only through a portionof this complet rotation as may be desired.

Fixedi to gear |||JY as by screws ||6 is cam |\I5 whose lextent determines the amount of blowing arc of the element or the amount of rotation of the element, through which the supply valve |22 is open.

Pivoted tothe lower end of bar |01 is the lever H3, pivotally mounted in thel fork |2 and provided at its other end with the roller 4. Extending from the fork ||2 is the rod ||1 provided with iork ||8 at its opposite end, this fork being positioned 90 from the fork ||2. Pivoted inthe second fork H8 is the operating lever |9 for the Valve |22.. When the roller |-|4- is in contact with the cam ||5. at the time that the piston is depressed', this contact point acts as a. fulcrum for lever ||3 moving downwardly the rod Il 'landwith it. the valveoperatinewd IIS.

In the4 position cit-:affairs shown inv Figure 1.1i, the piston is in theupward or inactive position. In Figure 14 the piston is shownin the downward position where it is moved under the influence of `the pressure of ithe fluid admitted to the piston chamber |03 on top of the piston |04. In the state of affairs shown in Figure 14, roller ||4 is not in contact with the cam I5 and as a result the rod I I1 is not moved downwardly as the piston |04 moves downwardly. Consequently, the valve is not actuated.

When, however, the gear has been rotated by successive impulses of the pawl |08 to the position shown in Figure 13, so that the roller I I4 contacts with the cam IIS, actuationof the piston |04 acts to move downwardly the rod |I1 and with it the valve operating rod ||9.

As shown in Figure 10, the Valve operating rod I I9 is pivoted at one end to a Xed lug |20. It is pivotally attached at its opposite end to the valve stem |2| which enters the valve chamber |25 through packing box |24. As the rod ||1 is moved downwardly in the position of affairs shown in Figure 13, it is obvious that the valve actuating lever ||9 moves around its pivot point on lug |20 to pull the valve stem |2| downwardly and move the valve |22 away from its seat |23.

As will be evident from Figure 12, brackets |26 are provided at opposite ends of the valve cham.- ber |25, to which brackets are attached springs |28 and |29. These springs assist in restoring the valve to the closed position upon the return of the piston |04 to its upward position shown in Figure 11.

It will be seen from the above that this operating head provides a. construction whereby the ele.- mentfis rotated by impulses of the cleaning fluid on top of an operating piston which piston actuates suitable mechanism to rotate the element. As hereinbefore pointed out, this piston is operative between desired maximum and minimum pressure limits. As has, furthermore, been described, the control valve for the soot blower unit is actuated synchronously with the operation ofthe element over any desired fraction of the rotative movement of the element.

In the form of operating head just described, the valve is operated mechanically throughv a lever mechanism from the same piston that actuates the element. In the form of operating head shown in Figures 15 to 18 inclusive, the element is actuated in exactly the same manner as that described for the form shown in Figures 10 to 14 inc lusive, but the valve is actuated by a piston under the control of a pilot valve instead of mechanically as in the first form of operating head described.

Referring now to Figures 15 to 18 inclusive, when air is admitted by the controller through lineV |02 on top o f the piston |32, this is depressed carrying with it the pawl |39 which acts against the spring |44 to rotate the gear |45. Gear |45 is fixed to element 9 1 in any suitable manner asinthe Vrst described form.

In the line |02 leading, from the controller is provided a T |46 from which leads line |41 to the `pilot valve |48. At the same time that air is admitted on top of piston |32 it enters the pilot valve L48 through line |41, acting on the face of piston |49. This is connected through rod |50 to valve |5I| so that when the piston |49 is moved to the right in Figure 18 it moves the valve |5| from itsseat against the action of the spring |53.

The control valve |50 normally rests against its seat |59. The valve |58 is attached through rod |34 to piston |60 rmounted in piston housing |98. Cleaning fluid from` Athe supply line 8| entering the operating head through opening |36 actsk both on Vthe top of the valve |58 and on the face of the piston |80. Piston ring |35 is provided in piston |90, the piston ring being provided with a graduated openingadmitting the cleaning fluid to the space |31 in the piston housing l 88.. This piston ring is constructed similarly to that shown in Figure 6a. Thus, under normal conditions the same pressure is established on each side of the piston |90, the valve being kept closed by the action of spring |59.

Upon venting of the pressure in the space |131 above the piston it is obvious that the pressure of the cleaning, fluid acting on the face |38 ofl piston will move the piston against spring |69, to open the valve.

It is the function of the pilot valve |48 hereinbefore described to provide a vent for the pressure in the space |31 permitting the valve to open. v As hereinbefore described, when the uid pressure is admitted to the pilot valve |48, it moves thefvalve |5| fromits seat |52 so that the pressure from the space |31 in therpiston housing |58 passes through line |54, through valve |5| on top of the valve |1|.

Referring now tol Figure 17, it will be noted that the lever |55 ispivotally supported on the lug |55, this leverbeing adapted to engage the cam |51 xedly mounted on gear |45. Cam |51 is made of the desired length in order to fix the period of opening of the supply valve |58. Thus, the length of the cam determines the fraction of rotative movement of the element 91 over which the control valve |58 is open.

When the lever |55 is engaged by the cam |51 it raises the stem |10 upwardly, moving the. valve .|1| away from itsseat |12. When the valve |1| is moved from its seat |12, fluid pressure, admitted to the pilot valve |48 from the space |31 in the piston housing |68, passes to exhaust through. openings |39.

y It will thus be seen that when the controller admits the cleaning vfluid'to line |82 through T |09 and line |41 to pilot valve |48, that the result is to vent the pressure from space |31 only when the lever |55 has engaged the cam |51 so that both'of the valves in the pilot valve are open. Y

If this trigger |55 does not engage the cam |51 the pilot valve |48 will not be fully open to exhaust and, consequently, the supply valve |58 will notropen even though piston |49 .does open valve |5|. -v .l

It will be noted fromFigure 16 that the amount of movement of the piston |60 is determined by the abutting of the skirt of the piston against the shoulder |91. This movement is sufficient to withdraw the valve |58 entirely within the piston housing |98, thusproviding a relativelyunobstructed passage forthe. cleaning fluid from line 8| to element 91, affording a construction giving the minimum pressure drop through the operating head. v

We have indicated -hereinbefore the characteristics of a controller suitable for use with either of the operating headsV described as applicable to the second form of the invention. A motor operated controller construction has been indicated and we havev shown diagrammatically in Figure 8 such a controller 89 which may be supported by brackets fromthe wall ofthe boiler or any other convenient point.

f In Figures 19 to 21, inclusive ther detailed confstruction of this type of controller is indicated together with a wiring diagram which is necessary to explain its method of operation. In the Wiring diagram, Figure 19, 85 and 81 are the 5 electrical supply lines, the air storage tank is indicated at 82 and the supply header to the units at 80. All of the above is as shown on Figure 8 hereinbefore. v

Before proceeding to a description of the wir` 10 ing hook-up in the method of operation of the controller, it is necessary to outline brieflythe essential yfeatures of construction of the controller as indicated in Figures 20 and 21. The motor |11 drives through gears |18 and |19 the 15 shaft |80 to which is fixed Worm |81. This Worm in turn actuates the worm wheel |82 which is xed to the vertical shaft |83. Fixed to the top of this shaft |83 is the collar |9| rotatable therewith. Surrounding shaft |88 is the bracket member |92, pressed into frictional engagement with collar |9| by spring |93. This frictional engagement between the bracket |92 and the collar-|9| permits, under lcertain conditions, rotation of the bracket |92 by collar |9|. It should be here 25 stated as a basic principle of operation of the device, that the bracket |92 and associated` parts, makes one complete revolution, for a complete cycle of operation of the controller, whereas the shaft |83 makes a considerably. larger number 30 of revolutions dependent upon the particular operating conditions of the unit.

Pivotally mounted at |94 on the bracket |792 is the lever arm |95. This lever arm will rotate with the bracket 92 as the latter isdriven by 35k frictional engagement with collar |9|. Rotative movement of the lever brings the end 2 S'thereof directly over the valve stems- |99 of a series, of pilot valves 2|2,- 2|2=1,2|2b, 2|2c, and 2|2d. As shown in Figure 21 these pilot valves arearranged 40 on the arc of a circletaken about the center of shaft |83. Y r l Pivoted on the opposite end of lever is the pawl 202 and lug 294 adapted to engage control ratchets 203, 203e, 2939, 293C, and 2031. As shown 45 in Figure 21, these control ratchets mounted in4 suitable supporting brackets 2 |5 are alsoy arrangedv in the arc of'a circle about the center of a shaft` |83. It Will be evident that thCOntl'ol ratchet.

for each pilot valve is located diametrically opp o 50` site to the pilot valve. Y i l One complete rotation of the lever arm |95 about the shaft |83 is thus seen to bring the lever arm |95 in position to actuatein sequence the five pilotvalves indicated which control the operation 55 of the five soot blower units 18, 18a, 18h, 18C, and 18d in Figure 8. The operation of these pilot v.valves is under the control of the ratchet wheels above mentioned as will be hereinafter described.

At thev conclusion of an operative cycle of the'o -f controller the lever |95 is left in a positionindicated by the line 2|3 onFigurefZl and provisiony is made toY insure the leaving of the lever in this" position, this provision tov be hereinafter described.

|81 makes onerevolutionfor the'complete' cycle 75 of 'operation 'of the controller, as does the bracket |92.

l:s indicated particularly in Figiii'e 19A, the` Contact drum |84 isprovided with an interrupted portion. with which registers a Contact strip |88 leading to the Contact drum |81.

Registering with the lContact drum |81 are the two brushes land 2| I this contact drum being provided with an interrupted portion 2|2 with which these brushes are in registry when the vapparatus has completed its cycle in a position to begin the 'next succeeding cyclic operation.

Figure 19A thus represents the condition of the Vcontact and brushes at the beginning of the cycle` of operation.

Itis 2obvious that provision must be made to start the actuation of 'the motor |11 to place the actuation of this motorA and hence the controller under the inuence vof the pressure actuated valve 88 -so that the controller will stop and start as the pressure is built up, blown out through Ythe nozzled'element to the minimum limit, shut1 off vand again built up for the next It is also necessary to provide 'in -the wiring circuit provisions whi'ebytli'e lever |95 under the control of the ratchet 203b will never be left the downwardly pressed position with the pilot Valve open to a unit; It is also necessary, as before pointed out, th'atr'the rotating control lever |95 be left vin the position at the conclusion of vthe complete cycle of operation; indicated by the line 2 I3 in Figure 214 for the beginning of the-next cycle of operation.

h Figirev'jZOlbeing a section along line V2IJ--20 of Figu'refZl,I the control "lever is in the position where it is just ready tot start the actuation of the third pilot `valve 2|2b controlling unit 18h.v However, this figure also represents the position ofthe lever with respect to controlratchet 283 and pilot valve 2|2` vat the beginning of a cycle of "operation, it being understood that at such beginning the lever is in the position indicated by the line 2|3 and the contact drums |81 and I- 4 are inthe relationoindicated in Figure 19A. 'starting the complete boiler cleaning cycle, switch 845 in' VFigure `8 is closed, motor 84 operatin g the 'compressor `83 which lls storage tank 82 to :the` desired maximum pressure.V When this pressure is yattain'ed the pressure actuated switch 88 closes. While the initial actuation 'of the con'- trollei motor |'|'I is not dependent upon the clos'- ing of switch 88, l,it is the usual practice to start the controller a few minutes after starting the compressonthis interval "of time being sufficient to build up the desired maximum pressure. Continued actuation of the controller, once it is started and has been carried up to a certain point, is dependent uponthe operation of the pressure actuated switch A88 and Comes under the control ofthst switch.V

Whenri't is desired to operate the controller, switch Y|14 is closed, it being understood that there is one such double pole switch and one controller for each boiler to be cleaned, a single compressor, storage tank and pressure actuated switch 88 being applicable to a plurality of boilers. l

Single pole hold switch |15, when actuated, completes the circuit from line 81 through lines |16,- I16', motor |11, line |18, back to line 86. The closing of this switch thus starts the `motor |17.

'Ixhrough gears |18, |19, shaft |88, worm |8| and worm wheel |82, rotation of the motor thus rotates the vertical shaft |83 and with it, the contact 'drun |84.y swith |15 is -hi in' until the motor has rotated suilici'ently to move the contact drum 1:84 an amount su'flicient to bring the contact Strip |86 out of lregistry With the interrupted portion 'of iHill into contact With the drum itself. The hold Vsitlitch may now be released, the `4r'no'tenj 'continuing to operate on current supplied through the circuit 8'I, |8v8, brush |89, lConltact drum |184, lCO'I'itact Strip |86, contact'd'rl'lrl |81, brush 'I 90, -line ITS', Inotor |11 and line |18, backtoriain 86.A Y

Provision has thus been indicated for starting the motor and for short circuiting the starting switch after operation of the motor has reached a predetermined point.

1h this initial actuation ofthe motor the lever arm |95 is rotated `'frt'liir'ithe position indicated by the line V2'I'3 Figure 21 until -t contacts With the face of the rst control ratchet 293. During this time the brushes rst and 21| as shown in Figure l19A have moved away from the interrtlpted portion 2 |32 of the ('z'o'iltact drum |81l and are in Contact with the' active face 0f vthis dI'uIn. Currentmay thus be supplied to the motor through the upper contact fdrum and the upper brushes |90 and 2| I., the current passing through the line 86, double pole switch |14, line |18, motor I'|'I,1ine |`|6, brush.- |90, drum |31', brush 2| I, line ees, 'douhie pple switch H, line 9|, through the pressure l(':oritrol switch 88 and line 92, back to rotorf|1-1 through the upper drum and brush circuits `under thevfcntrol of the pressure actuated switch as before described.

Starting and stopping of the controller motor |11 is under the control of the maximum and minimum pressure limit switch 88 with certain limitations to be hereinafter described. 4

rn the position of air-airs Yindicated in Fig. 2o end '2'I3Io'futhe lever |95 is just over the valve stem |99 of the pilot valve 212". Fixed to the opposite end of lever |95 is a lug 2|6 which piva'tally 'supports a pawl 282 adapted to register with ratchet teeth of the control wheel 2031. Lug 284 is further vprovided bearing against the outside face of vthis yratchet Wheel in 'order to keep the pawl 2|l2 in engagement with the Wheel and to keep the lever |95 over the valve stem |99 until 'K the actuation of each unit has been completed.

Through linev llll, air from Ithe 'supply header 8|) is supplied to the plenum 'chamber 2n| underneath the pivot' vaives. Fixed to the collar |9| Iis thecam member |99 shown both in Figures 20 vand 21H. Rotation of shaft |83 brings this cam member under lug |98, rocking the lever |95 about its pivot |94. This rocking action moves the end of the lever 2I3 down on the valve stem |99, moving the valve 200 away from its seatrand admitting air from the plenum chamber 2|J|A through the line III'Ib to unit 18h for the operation of the unit as hereinbefore described. At the same time the rocking of the lever moves the paWl 202 to advance the ratchet control wheel 283b Athe distance of as indicated in Figure 21',-

one tooth. This operation is repeated duringthe' time pressure is built up and lowered dueto blowing out the nozzled element until the pawl 202 has been actuated a sufficient number of times to move the lug 204 into registry with the open space in ratchet wheel 205 whereupon frictional engagement of the collar |9| with the bracket |92 moves the lever around until lug 204 contacts the face of the next ratchet wheel and the unit is in position to operate the next hereinbefore given it willbe evident that the` motor is capable of actuation' independent of the pressure actuated valve 88 and associated circuits through the line |88, brush |89randrcontact drum |04, contact member '|86 leading to the contact drum |01. t Thus, if the pressure switch is interrupted while the lever |95 is holding one of the pilot valves 2 2 open, rotation of the motor is continued through circuit |88, brush I 89, drum ili, contact member |86 and drum |81 until the contact member E registers withthe interrupted portion |85 of contact drum |84, whereupon the motor stops until the next building up of maximum pressure closes the pressure actuated switch 88.

It is obvious that the drum I 84 must be so xed with respect to shaft |83 that the interrupted portion of said drum registers with the contact strip |86 when the lever |95 is in the position indicated in Figure 20 and is clear of the valve stern |99. This is accomplished by proper fixing of the drum |84 with relation to the cam member |95 on collar |9| as will be self-evident.

The ratchet control wheel 203k is provided with a series of holes Zilb in which may be fixed a pin 201b to control the amount Yof actuation of each individual pilot valve. To the shaft 2091D onwhich the ratchet wheel 205b is fixedly mounted is attached the chain 209b carrying the weight 2|0b. In the position of affairs shown in Figure 20, the ratchet wheel is moved clockwise until the space 205 comes opposite the lug 206 permitting the operating lever to pass to the next unit. 'Ihe pin 201b is, of course, moved clockwise with the ratchet wheel to a point indicated at 2|1. The chain 209b is, in the meantime, wrapped around the shaft 2081. As soon as the lug 204 has passed through the opening 205 and on to the face of the next ratchet control wheel the weight 2 0b returns the ratchet controlwheel 203lul to exactly its original position, this being controlled by contact of the pin 201|u with the chain 209b as will be self-evident.

The above indicated cycle of `operationis comoff the motor. Y I'he interrupted portion of drum |81 is sor located with respect to lever |95, thatA when brushes l|90 and 2|| engage this portion'oi the drum, vstopping the motor, lever is left in the position indicated by line 2 I3 on Figure 21. The controller is thus in position for the next cycle of operation. l

ItV will thus be seen that we have provided a controller mechanism adapted to actuate'successively each of a series of pilot Valves controlling the operation of the soot blower units applied to the boiler. Means have been'provided to start the actuation of the controller and to short circuit the starting means whereby the operation may be continued. Means are also provided to then place the controller under the operation of the maximum and minimum pressure actuated switch and means have been provided to be sure th'at no pilot valve is left open at any time to any unit when the current is shut oli through the pressure actuated switch upon attainment of the minimum pressure limit.

Means are further provided for regulation ex-- actly of the amount of work to beir done by'each unit by controlling exactly the numberof impulses applied Vto each particular unit. Means have also been provided to assure that the lever which operates the pilot valves is alway'sfleft in exactly the same position for `the starting of the next operative cycle of kthe controller. It will thus be seen that a very flexible control means is provided, capable of a Wide adjustment to meet the particular conditions encountered by each individual installation.

Note should here be made of the fact that each impulse applied to the operating head moves the head rotatively a definite amount. As has been pointed out, this amount vof movement may be made to suit conditions by determination of the plston traVeLbut once fixed in this manner, does not vary ordinarily upon successive. impulses. This is true, whether the valve in the operating head be opened or closed. If opened, with air blowingrout the nozzled tube, the time element be fore restoration of pressure and application ofV age loss in the lines. It may be here stated that r in actual commercial installations, the time interval between impulses with the valve -open has been found to vary from 21/2 to 3 minutes with the valve in the operating head open, and from 4 to 5 seconds with the valve closed.

The second type of controller adapted for use with the hereinbefore described operating heads 1s shown in Figures 22 to 27 inclusive,-Figure 22 being a wiring, diagram showing the electrical hook-up. Referring first to this ligure, the electrical supply lines 81 and 36 .are the same as hereinbefore indicated. For each complete installation, it is necessaryto provide a double pole switch indicated at 2|8, together with a thermal.

iiasher indicated at 22|, the pressure controlled switch 88 and the lamp 220. For each boiler it is necessaryto provide a double pole switch indicated at 2|9 and the controller to behereinafterdescribed, designated as 222.

In this particular type of controller, it is necessarythat thev pressure actuated switch 28 be closed byA building up of the-:pressure in the storage tank 82 to the desired maximum limit. This pressure actuated switchmis, inthisform,

the saine =as :in the 'previous Vfcrrn of 'controller described. The thermal flasher 221| is the coriventional flasher vconstruction and may be set to operate at desired intervals. In practice 'it has lbeen found desirable Vto operate this flasher at approximately second intervals. The lamp 220 which may be conveniently a 60'watt bulb is inserted in the -circuit ahead of the pressure controlled switch to keep the iiasher hot while the pressure 'switch may be open at low pressure periods;

In operation using the 'second type of `co'ntroller, it is necessary to operate the compressor until the maximum pressure -has been built up in the storage tank and the supply line 80 to the soot blowerunits. Double pole switch 2|3 is then hclosed, the flasher starting to operate very shortly thereafter. The double pole switch 2 I 9 Ais then thrown on the boiler which it is desired to clean.

Referring now to the controller construction itself, this constitut e s essentially a multiported valve designated at 232 provided with the space 256 into which airwfromthe supplyline 80 lis led through the line IDI and a valve 255. This valve coin'pr'i'se's a 4valve member 23|, which Iis attached to the under side of piston 23D, the pressureof the cleaning iluid being adapted to act on the under side of this piston and open the valve when pilot valve 258 is raised to vent the pressure 'aboife the piston, the action being similar to that already outlined for similar valves hereinbefore described.

vExciting of the solenoid 249 -raises the weight 229 permitting the cleaning fluid to act on the underside yof pistn 230, raising the valve 23| from its seat and admitting air 'fromn line |0| to tlie 'space 256 inside the multiported valve.

This inultiprtedvalve Consists, essentially, of a 'statinary1p1ate236, forming a part of the valve housing, which plate is provided with the five holes 235, 23511,` 235i), 235?, and 235 i, leading respectively to thjoutle'ts |02, I02a, |021", I02c, Vand |0291l leading to the respective ysoot vblower units.

. Engageable withthe 'stationary plate 236 is the rotatame plate 233 provided with the 'elongated curved slot 234 as best 'indicated in Figure 27. Registration of this elo'i'igate'c'i 'slot -with each Yof thefhoi'es 235 and 'so forth, "successi/en 'admits air through suitable connections to the various operating heads.

AFhe rotatable valve member 233 is fixed 'to'shaft 25|, which, in turn, Vis fixed t'o gear 245, 'this gear being rotated by Lthe successive impulses 'of the Vcleaning fluid, as it is V'supplied to the controller. From the space 255 a supply line 231 shown in Figure 23 leads to the inlet gend of "the piston housing '23s. when cleaning huid isaer'nitted 'to thisI piston housing, it acts on the f ace or thpisto V239,- moving this to the ieft in Figure 26 against the y 'spring 240. t

Attached to the pistor1 239 lis the pin 242 carrying the pawl 243. When the pressuretb the piston is shut off, 'as by cising. 'o flv'aive 23|, a 'spring 240 returns the bisturi, at which time the pawl 243 acts upon the gear 245 to move the saine countereclekwise 'the distance of one tooth. rlheV pawl 244 is provided to fact as a'drag member and to limit rotative movement of gear 245 to one tooth.

Fixed in the face `of gear 245 are the pins 253, these being identical in number with the number of units to be operated. A second pawl 254 is fixed to shaft 242, this pawl being adapted to registervwith the pins 25-3 at 'suitable intervals, it

being the function `of this arrangement to ad- Vance the lgear 245 to the next 4successive position'so that `the-elongated port 234 in the rotary valve member '233 will register with the next hole -235a in the 4stationary plate 236. 'Ihe operation -of this vWill be hereinafter described in greater detail.

Attached to gear 245 and rotatable therewith is the con-tactdrum '246 with which registers the two'brushes 226 and 221, best shown in Figure 26 and indicated also in thewiring diagram Figure 22. The contact drum 246 is provided with an interrupted portion 241 with which in the starting position brush `226 is adapted to register.

With the pressureH actuated switch 88 closed and with the iiasher 22| in operation, switch 2|9 to the boiler to becleaned is closed. The single pole hold switch 2 23 is closed completing the circuitthrough line 86, solenoid 249, line 251, switch 2-23, line92,pressure actuated switch 8 8, line 9|, thermal flasher 22| and back to line 81. With the switch 2 23 held closed, each excitation of the thermal flasher 22| excites 'the solenoid 249, permitting the valve 23| to open at each excitation. Air is thusV admitted from the chamber 256 through lline 231 to actuate the piston 239, which, as has been hereinbefore explained, moves the gear 245 the distance of one tooth upon each actuation, As the gear is actuated the Contact drum 246i`is moved around until brush 226 comes out of the interrupted portion o f the contact drum 241, whereupon the single pole hold switch 223 isshort circuit'ed'through line 225, brush 226, drumv 246, brush 221 'and line 224, whereupon the switch may be released.

It is evident that the controlleris actuated only when the pressure in the supply line to the boiler cleaner units is between the maximum and minimum desired limits. It is, furthermore, evident that actuation o'f. the controller takes place under this particular condition upon each successive impulse of Vthe flasher 22|. When the controller is started, the relation ofthe valve members is as indicated in Figure 27. vSuccessive excitations of the Vsc'alehoid 249 under the control of the thermal fiasher 22| andpressure actuated switch 88 moves the gear 245 andwith it the rotatable valve meinber 233 inthe Vdirection indicated by the arrow in Figure 27, the 'curved slot being continuously in registry with the hole 235 in plate 236. When the end vofmthis slot is reached, the gear 245 is rotated so that the curvedslot 234 in the rotatable valve member 233 comes into registry with the next hele 235aL by virtueof engagement of the pawl 254 with the pins 253, the horizontal reciprocating `notiorl ofthe pin 242 fixed to piston 239 being transmitted to gear 245 by virtue of this engagement of the 4pawl with the pin.

The'cycle is obviously carried on until all ve of the boiler clean-er units have been operated whereupon the controller may be shut down by pulling the switch 2 I9.

At theffcompletion of operationand before the switch 2|9 has been pulled lto definitely shut off the ciitroller, this latter has shut itself off automatically at the completion of the cycle due to engagement of the Contact brush 226 with the interrupted portion 24.1 of Contact drum 248.

The extent of the arcuate port 234 in the rotatable valve member 233 may be so arranged with respect to the number of gear teeth in 245 as to impart any desired number of impulses to the rboiler Acleaner operating head. Considered in connection with the construction of the head,

matters may be so arranged as to insure that a predetermined number of impulses applied to the head move this a denite rotative amount.

Thus, in the operating head, as shown in Figure 17, the gear |65 may be provided with eighty teeth. The pawl |133 may be adapted to actuate gear |95 the distance of four teeth at each power impulse, thus requiring a total of 26 impulses to rotate the nozzled tube 91 through exactly 360. To accomplish this result with the second type of controller described, the extent of the arcuate port 234 may be made with such relation to gear 2 45 as to insure that the gear 245 is moved a distance of. twenty teeth by the pawl 243 while the arcuate port 234 in the rotatable valve member 233 is in registry with one of the holes 235 in the stationary valve plate 236. It has been found in practice that such a proportioning of the parts affords a very satisfactory op-eration but it should be pointed out that these proportions may be varied to secure any desired actuation of the boiler cleaner opera-ting head. With the construction of the seco-nd controller it is conven-A ient to limit this amount of arcuate actuation to one complete revo-lution or less, whereas in the controller of the first type described, arcuate travel may very conveniently be three complete' rotations or any fraction thereof. It is obvious that the proportions of the parts might be varied in both instances to secure any desired results.

In Figures 28 to 31, inclusive, a slightly modified form of. operating head is disclosed in which the rotation or movement of the blower element is dependent upon a prior Vopening of the valve which controls the flow of cleaning fluid to the blower element. The admission of pressure fluid to the, blower head from the controller is utilized to effect an opening of the valve which controls the flow of cleaning fluid to the blower element. It is to be understood that either form of contro-ller previously described may be utilized in supplying pressure fluid to the construction about to be described.

Referring then particularly to these figures of the drawings, it will b-e noted that the blower element 91 is journaled in a suitable head which is similar in construction to the head shown in Figures 15 to 17, inclusive. Cleaning fluid is supplied tothe blower head by a supply pipe 8|,

there being provided a valve 266 between the.

supply pipe and the blower` element. This valve is secured to a stem 26| which in turn is secured to'a piston 262 reciprocable in a chamber 263 formed in a suitable casing secured to the blower head. The piston is provided with a vpiston ring 269 Vwhich may have a suitable graduated opening whereby cleaning fluid may leak past the piston to build up a pressure back of the same. A

spring 265 is located in the chamber 263 and holds the valve 266 to its seat 266 when pressures on opposite sides of the piston are equal.

Communicating with the chamber 263 is a conduit 215 to which a fitting 216 is secured. This fitting provides a passage between the conduit 215 and the conduit |62 which, as brought out before, may be in communication with either of the controllers heretofore described.

Mounted in the tting 216 is a piston 211 to which a valve 218 is secured. 'I'he spring 219 normally holds the valve 218 inV engagement with its seat 266 to prevent communication between the conduit 215 and exhaust ports 28| formed in the fitting 216.

It will be obvious that whenever pressure fluid is admitted to the fitting by way of conduit |62,

the piston 211 will be actuated to move the valve 218 against the force exerted on the same by the spring 219 and to thus permit the pressure in chamber 263 to be exhausted by way of ports 28|. Whenever, therefore, valve 218 is opened, the

pressure fluid acting on the face of piston 262 will cause this piston to move longitudinally of the chamber 263 to thus open valve 266 and admit the cleaning fluid from supply pipe 8| to the blower element 91. As in the previously described form of construction shown in Figures 15 to 17, inclusive, piston 262 may be provided with'a skirt 282 to limit its movement longitudinally of the chamber 263.`

' As brought out before, in this embodiment of the invention, provision is made that movement of the blower element will be dependent upon a prior actuation of the Valve which controls the flow of cleaning fluid to the blower element. Accordingly there is provided a conduit 296' which is tapped into the blower head to communicate n with the cleaning uid passage immediately beyond the valve 266. This conduit in turn is tapped into a casing 29| formed on one side of the blower head and in which the actuating mechanism for the blower element is located. It will be obvious that the positioning of the conduit 296 is such that pressure fluid is only supplied to this conduit and thus to the actuating mechanism for the blower element when the control valve 266 for the elementrhas been moved sufliciently to permit the flow of cleaning uid past this valve.

The actuating mechanism for the blower element comprises a piston 295 located in the casing 29|. A spring 296 normally holds the piston in the position shown in Figure 30 of the drawings and thus returns the piston to this position whenever the valve 266 is closed.

Pivotally secured to piston 295 is a double-acting pawl 291 arranged to engage teeth 298 on a.

gear 299 fixed to the blower element 91. The pawl 291 is provided with an arm 366 which extends into the path of pins 36| and 362 fixed to the face of gear 299. A spring 363 secured to the free end of the arm 366 and to a projection on the piston 295 tends to snap the arm past its dead center position whenever the arm is engaged by either of the pins 36| or 362. It will be apparent that the position to which the pawl 291 is rocked by the pins 36| and 302 Will determine the direc tion of movement of gear 299 and thus of blower element 91 incident to a reciprocationof piston 295.

To frictionally restrain gear 299 against rotation and to thus render the intermittent rotation of this gear more smooth, there is provided a toothed member 365 which is constantly urged Vinto engagement with the teeth 296 of the gear ber 263. The p-ressure of the cleaning fluid thenA Vacting on the face of piston 262 will move this piston to open valve 266 to admit cleaning fluid from Asupply pipe 6| to the blower elementV 91.

As valve 266 is opened, the cleaning fluid under pressure will pass through conduit 296 and will act on piston 295 to move the same against the force exerted by spring 290. Obviously, whenever valve 280 is closed, the spring 296 will return piston 295 to its original position.

Y Reciprocation of piston 295 will eiect a rotation of gear 299 and thus of the blower element 9T. The direction of rotation of gear 29S and thus of the blower element will be dependent upon the position of the double-acting pawl 291 and the operating position of this pawl will be periodically changed as one or the other of pins 30| or' 302 engage the end of arm 300. Pins 33| and 302 being carried by gear 299 move with the latter so as to effect a rocking of the double-acting pawl after a predetermined rotation of gear 299 in either direction. It will be understood that if desired the pins- 30! or 302 may be adjustably mounted on gear 299 so that the extent of rotation of this gear may be adjusted at will.

While several forms of the invention have been described with some detail, it is to be clearly understood that the description is for the purposes of illustration only and is not denitive of the limits of the inventive idea. The right is reserved to make such changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts as will fall within the purview of the attached claims.

What we claim as our invention' is:

1. In a iiuid heater cleaner, a plurality of blower elements, a source of cleaning fluid under pressure, means for effecting sequential movement of said blower elements, and means operating to terminate the operation of said first mentioned means upon a predetermined decrease in the pressure of the cleaning iiuid.

2. In a fluid heater cleaner, a plurality of movable blower elements, a source of cleaning fluid under pressure, means for effecting a sequential movement of said blower elements, and means operating when the cleaning uid reaches a predetermined maximum pressure and independently of the movement of said blower elements to effect an actuation of said first mentioned means and operating when the cleaningfluid reaches a predetermined minimum pressure to stop the operation of said iirst mentioned means.

3. In a fiuid heater cleaner, a plurality of movable blower elements, means for sequentially supplying cleaning iiuid to said blower elements, means for effecting a sequential movement of said blower elements, and means operating whenv the cleaning fluid reaches a predetermined maximum pressure and independently of the movement of said blower elements to effect an actuation of both of said first-mentioned means and operating when the cleaning fluid reaches a predetermined minimum pressure to stop the operation of both of said iirst-mentioned means.

4. In a iiuid heater cleaner, a plurality of movable blower elements, means operating to sequentially impart step by step movements to said blower elements, said means providing that a plurality of step by step movements are imparted to each element before step by step movements are imparted to the next element, and means for regulating the number of step by step movements imparted to each element toa definite predetermined plural number.

5. VIn a iiuid heater cleaner, a pair of movable blower elements, means including a'reciprocable member associated with each blower element for moving the same, and means operating to impart a definite plural number of reciprocable movements first to one of said reciprocable members and then to the other of said reciprocable members.

61 l'n a fluid heater cleaner, a pair of movable blower elements, means including a piston associated with each blower element for moving the same, `and means operating to impart a definite plural number of power impulses iirst to one of said pistonsk and then to the other of said pistons.

'7. In a fluid heater cleaner, a plurality of blower elements, a valve so associated with each blower element as to control the operation thereof, a movable valve actuating member, means for moving'said valve actuating member to sequentially bringV the same into operative relation with respecttosaid valves, and means for moving said valve actuating member a plural number of times each time it is brought into operative relation with respect to each valve and Without movement of the valve actuating member out of operative relation with respect to the valve being actuated to cause the valve actuating member to actuate each valve a plural number of times before the next valve in the sequence is actuated. 8'. In a iiuid heater cleaner, a plurality of blower elements, and means for controlling the operationV of said blower elements including a plurality of' valves, 'one valve controlling the operation of each blower element, a valve Vactuating lever, means for intermittently moving said lever to bring the same into operative relation with respect to each valve, means for holding said valve actuating lever in operative relation with respect to each valve for Ya predetermined interval of time, and means for moving said valve actuating lever during said interval while the same is in operative relation with respect to each valve to cause the valve actuating member to actuate each valve a plural number of times.

9.Y In a fluid heater cleaner, a plurality of blower elements, avalve for controlling the actuation of each blower element, and means for actuating said valves including a valve actuating lever, a shaft mounting said lever for moving the same into operative relation with respect to one of said valves. ata time, means for moving said shaft, means `for periodically holding said valve actuating member against movement with said shaft to hold the valve actuating member in operative relation with respect to each valve for an interval of time, and means for actuating said member a plural number of times during said interval.

10. In a fluid heater cleaner, a plurality of blower elements, a valve for controlling the operation of each blower element, a rotatable shaft, a valve actuating lever mounted on said shaft and adapted to be frictionally moved by said shaft, said valve actuating lever when moved by said shaftV moving successively into operative relation with respect' to said valves, means for periodically restraining said valve actuating lever against movement with said shaft to temporarily hold the same in operative relation with respect to each of said valves, and means for moving said valve actuating lever while the same is so restrained against movement with said shaft to cause the valveactuating lever to actuate each valve a plural number of times.

1l. In a fluid heater cleaner, a plurality of blower elements, a valve for each element for controlling the operation thereof, said valves being arranged in spaced relation to each other and on an arc, a rotatable shaft,`a member carried by said shaft and adapted to be frictionally moved thereby, a valve actuating lever carried by said member adapted when said member is moved with said shaft to be brought into successive registration with said valves, a plurality of ratchet 

